Device for filling tanks with hydrocarbons



Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQUEREZ 2,090,734

DEVICE FOR FILLIKG TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 15, 1936 4 Sh eets-Sheet 1 HG-Z I I I Aug. 24, 1937.

E. PIQU ER EZ DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 1s,19ss FIG- 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQU EI REZ 2,090,734

DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS I Filed Jan. 15; 1956' 4She'ets-Sheet :s

Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQUEREZ 2,09 0,734

DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 15,- 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES" DEVICE FOR FILLINGTANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Emile Piquerez, St. Cloud, France ApplicationJanuary 13,1936, Serial No. 58,951 In France January 19, 1935 14 Claims.

The present invention has for its object a novel device for fillingclosed tanks with liquid hydrocarbons in general and more particularlythe tanks of aerial navigation machines, motor boats, automobile road orrail vehicles.

The high power motors used in particular on airplanes or on boatsnecessitate tanks of large capacity, which it must be possible to fillat the filling stations, .in a very short time. During this operation,considerable volumes of inflammable gases are liberated in a very shortspace of time, forming around the tank an extremely dangerous explosiveatmosphere. This danger is still further increased by the overflow ofinflammable liquids which occurs when the outlet of the gases from thetanks takes place with dimculty, or

when the level of the liquid is not carefully watched so that thefilling operation may be stopped in time. Such watching of the level ofO the liquid is, moreover, a diflicult matter, if not impossible,particularly when the filling is done by a high output apparatus.

The improved device which is the object of the invention, is intended toavoid these great drawbacks and to enable tanks to be filled with themaximum safety, by eliminating all the possible outlets of gases andoverflows.

For this purpose, said device is characterized by the fact that thefilling of the tank is cffected in a closed space, without anycommunication with the atmosphere and with an automatic stoppage of theflow of liquid as soon as the level in the tank has attained apredetermined height.

The improved device has one or a plurality of the followingcharacteristics which may, furthermore, be combined with each other:

A pumping member sucks up the liquid from a cistern or reservoir todeliver it into the tank through a liquid-tight connection; an overflowpipe, connected in a liquid-tight manner to the tank and the cistern orreservoir brings the gases exhausted from the tank to the reservoir andmeans are arranged for limiting the filling and stopping the outflow ofthe pump when an excess of liquid runs back through 'the return pipe.

The meansserving for limiting the filling consist' of a closure memberarranged at any point on the return pipe, the closing of which iscontrolled by the flow of the liquid into said pipe.

According to a modification, the means serving for limiting the fillingconsist of a closure member arranged at a suitable point of the fillingpipe, the closing of the saidmember being caused by the excess pressurewhich is set up in the tank when the excess of liquid runs back throughthe return pipe, and means may be arranged on said return pipe toincrease the drop in pressure or to produce a total closure, so as toincrease said excess pressure.

The return pipe for the gases may be provided with a pump which sucksthe said gases into the tank to drive them into the cistern, and whichis capable of pumping in the same manner the excess of liquid runningback through the return pipe when the tank is full. Said pump is coupled10 to the same drive as the liquid pump, and the closure member isplaced on its delivery, so as to close the latter and lock the movementof both the pumps, when the excess of liquid reaches the return pump. 15

According to a modification of construction, the closure member, at thesame time as it closes the return towards the reservoir, opens thecommunication between the said return and the suction of the liquidpump, so that the excess of liquid circulates in a closed circuitthrough said pump, without it being possible for the level of the liquidto rise in the tank.

Reversing means are arranged on the pump or pumps, to reverse thesuction and delivery orifices thereof, so as to enable the piping to beemptied.

According to an embodiment which appears, for the'time being, to bepreferable, the pump or pumps are of a reversible type, so that the re-0 I versal of said orifices is obtained simply by changing the directionof rotation.

The pipe connecting the liquid pump to the tank runs into the latter atthe normal fillinglevel, so that when the reversal of operation takesplace, the liquid contained'in the pipes and, if necessary the excess ofliquid introduced into the tank, is sucked up again until the level inthe latter is established at the normal height.

In case the device is provided with an output 40 meter, the latter is ofa reversible system, and is arranged to deduct the excess of liquidwhich is sucked back again into the pipes, and if necessary, into thetank, during the reversal period of the pump'or pumps. 45

When the apparatus is provided with a meter and with a device for thereturn of the excess of liquid to the suction side of the pump, suchreturn takes place between the meter and the pump, so as not to alterthe measure; it is provided 50 with a stop valve in order that, in thereverse operation, the liquid cannot take that path.

In the case of application to the filling of the tanks of automobiles orother tanks, by means of distributing apparatus having one or a plu- 55rality of measuring units which empty themselves by gravity into thetank, the following arrangement is adopted.

The measuring unit having a head of liquid 5 is connected to the tank ina liquid-tight manner and the atmosphere of the tank is connected to theatmosphere of the cistern or reservoir from which the carburant istaken.

-On this air return pipe is interposed a receptacle adapted to collectthe overflow of liquid.

Said receptacle may be provided with an automatic closure memberarranged to interrupt the the exact quantity of liquid introduced intothe tank, by subtracting from the initial volume prepared in themeasuring unit or units of the distributor, thevolume of the liquidcollected in the overflow receptacle.

Said overflow measuring receptacle is advantageously connected to thestorage tank by a return pipe which enables it to be emptied.

Said return pipe may simply consist of a pipe provided with a cock, andconnected between the lower part of the receptacle and the air pipewhich connects the upper part of the'same receptacle to the storagetank.

In another embodiment, the part of the return pipe can be performed bythe air pipe which connects the top of the overflow measure with the 40atmosphere of the storage tank, by providing the pipe with a rotativejoint operating in the manner of a trunnion and enabling the measure tobe turned upside down by rotating it through 180.

The invention also concerns the use, for connecting the measuring unitof the distributor to the tank to be filled and for ensuring at the sametime the return of air from the latter to the cistern, of a singleconnection permanently mounted on the ends of the two correspondingpipes and placed in the filling orifice of the tank, said connectionhaving a central tube which dips into the liquid and communicates with aliquid inlet chamber, and another shorter tube leaving around the firstmentioned tube an annular space which communicates with an air outletchamber.

Said connection has on the outside an annular element which isextensible under the action of a tightening member, the operation of thesaid member, after the connection has been introduced into the orificeof the tank, having the efiect of enlarging the diameter of the annularelement and of pressing it against the wall of the orifice where itforms a liquid-tight joint.

5 A multi-way shut off member is arranged on the connection. In oneposition, said member places the two' pipes, separately, incommunication with the tank, whereas in another position it cuts offthese communications and connects the two pipes to each other,by-passing the tank.

Other characteristics will become apparent from the ensuing description,which is given by way of example, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

In said drawings,

Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 show diagrammatically in elevation, a numberof embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically a modification of a detail. 5

Figure 8 is a general diagrammatic view of the device for filling thetanks of automobiles.

Figure 9 is a vertical section of the connection used.

In Figures 1 to 7, the same elements are indi- 10 cated by the samereference numerals. I is the supply cistern or reservoir and 2 indicates'the tank to be filled to a predetermined level N.

A pump 3 sucks up the liquid in the cistern I, through a tube 4 dippingin said liquid, and de- 15 livers the liquid through the pipe 5 into thetank 2. Said pipe is connected in a liquid-tight manner to said tank,and terminates within the latter at the level N. From the same tank, andalso connected thereto in a liquid-tight manner, there runs an overflowpipe 8, the end of which passes into the tank 2 and likewise terminatesat the level N. Said pipe 6 leads into the base of a chamber 1, the topof which has an orifice 8 communicating, through the pipe 9, with theupper part of the cistern l. Within the chamber Tl is arranged a float10 provided with a closure member, for example the needle valve I lwhich, in the upper position of the float, closes the orifice 8.

The tubes 4 and 9 are connected in a liquidtight manner to the orificeof the cistern I.

When the pump 3 is operated, the latter sucks up liquid from the cisternl and delivers it into the tank 2, while the gases which are driven outof the latter return freely through the tubes 6, 9 and the chamber 1 tothe cistern, without passing out into the atmosphere.

When the level in the tank 2 reaches the fixed limit N, the liquidattains the orifice of the tube 6 and any fresh volume of liquiddelivered by the 40 pump 3 runs away through said tube and collects-inthe chamber 1 where it lifts the float Ill. The latter soon closes theorifice 8, the delivery of the pump 3 is thus closed, thereby showingthe operator that the filling of the tank I2 is termi- 45 nated.

It is usually convenient, for enabling the pipes 5 and 6 to be detachedfrom the tank 2, to empty the liquid contained in said pipes. Thisresult can easily be obtained by reversing the operation 50 of the pump3, so that the latter sucks up through the pipe 5 and delivers throughthe pipe 4. A depression is thus set up in the tank 2, and a suction isproduced through the pipes 6 and 9. The liquid contained in the chamber1 as well as in the pipe 6 is emptied, and the suction of liquid throughthe pipe 5 ceases as soon as the level in the tank falls below the levelN. This operation of the pump 3 in the reverse direction case of apump'actuated by a mechanical means. 70

The device shown in Fig. 2 enables this sudden stoppage to be avoided.In said device, the chamber I communicates, through its lower part, witha pipe I2 connected to the suction of the pump 3.

A closure member l3, carried by the float l0 7 closes the orifice ofsaid pipe when there is no liquid in the chamber I. Finally, a valve I4placed in said pipe I2, permits circulation to take place in the latter,from the chamber 1 towards the pump 3, and prevents passage in theopposite direction. I I

The operation 01 this device is the same as in the previous example,during the whole of 'the filling operation, the pipe I2 being closed bythe needle valve I3. When the excess of liquid runsaway through the pipe6, the float III, at the same time as it closes the orifice 8, opens thepipe I2, thereby enabling the liquid to return to the suction side ofthe pump '3, through the valve I4. The excess of liquid thus circulatesin a closed circuit without the level rising in the tank 2. It issufiicient to arrange an inspection window, either on the chamber 1, oron the tube I2, to enable the operator to ascertain that the filling isterminated. The reversal of the pump 3 then enables the excess of liquidto be returned to the cistern I, as in the case of Fig. 1, the valve I4closing all communication in the opposite di-. rection through the tubeI2.

Both of the devices described can advantageously be completed byapparatus for purifying and metering the liquid distributed. Suchapparatus would be arranged as indicated for the devices describedhereinafter.

In the devices illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the operation of theapparatus for limiting the fill ing 1 sets up an excess pressure in thetank 2; said pressure may be troublesome in certain applications and inparticular in the case of airplane tanks, constructed of thin metalplate.

The devices illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 are intended to obviate thisdrawback, and consequently are particularly adapted forfilling the tanksof aircraft.

In said devices, the return tube 6 is connected to the suction orificeof a pump I5, adapted to suck in the gases or the liquid escaping fromthe tank 2. Said pump delivers through the chamber of the fillinglimiter I and the pipe 9, into the cistern I. A mechanical connection,shown diagrammatically by the chain I6, connects said pump to the pump3, in such a manner that the two pumps are actuated simultaneously.Furthermore, they are calculated so that their outputs are equal.

On the delivery of the pump 3 is furthermore arranged an airdecanter-separator filter ll, of the type described in French Patent No.759,559 of 4th November 1932, and a meter I8. The gases escaping fromthe air separator through the tube I9, are sent into the delivery pipeafter the meter, so as not to make the measurement efiected by thelatter incorrect. I

The device of Fig. 3 applies more particularly to apparatus providedwith hand pumps, since the automatic operation of the filling limiter 1causes a sudden stoppage of the delivery and, consequently, a locking ofthe pumps.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 5 avoids such locking, by sending theexcess of liquid back through the pipe I2 to the suction of the pump 3.Of course, in this case, the meter must be placed on the suction pipe ofthe pump, so that the liquid returning into circulation through the pipeI2, does not again pass through said meter.

The emptying of the pipes 5 and 6 is effected by the simultaneousreversal of the two pumps, the pump I5 then sucking the gases from thecistern to deliver them through the pipe 6 into the tank, whereas thepump 3 sucks up the liquid contained in the pipe 6, to send it back intothe cistern through the meter III. The suction of the liquid ceases assoon as the level in the tank reaches the level of the orifice of thepipe 5. The meter I8 used is of a reversible type, and it automaticallydeducts from the preceding measurement, the quantity ,of liquid thussent back into the cistern.

It is advantageous to use in this arrangement, pumps which are capableof reversal by a simple change in the direction of rotation, forexample, rotary pumps having an eccentric piston. But such reversal canbe obtained with pumps of any type by connecting themas shown in Fig. 4.In this arrangement, the pipe 6 leads into a threeway cock 20, the twoother orifices oi vwhich are connected to the .suction orifice 2I and tothe delivery orifice 22. The pipe 9 leads in the same manner to thethree-way cock 23, likewise connected to the orifices 2I and 22 of thepump I5. Said two cocks 20 and 23 are actuated by a single control 24.In the position of the figure, it is seen that the suction takesplacethrough 6 and the delivery through 9. It sufiices to change thedirection of the cocks by means of the control 24,

to reverse the direction of suction and delivery of the pump. The pump 3will be connected in the same manner, and its cocks 24 and 25 operatedby the control 26. To facilitate the simultaneous reversal of the twopumps, the two controls 24 and 26 can be coupled so as to operate thefour cocks 20, 23, 24 and 25 at the same time.

The devices illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 enable, while only using asingle pump, the output thereof to be shut off without setting up anexaggerated pressure in the tank.

In said devices, the liquid pump 3 sucks, through the tube 4 from thecistern Land delivers through the pipe 5 towards the tank. Said pipeleads into a chamber 26 through an orifice provided with a valve 21which closes in the direction of passage of the liquid towards thechamber 26. Said chamber is connected in a liquid-tight manner to thetank 2 by a pipe 5' which extends into said tank up to the level N towhich it is desired to fill it. The wall of the chamber 26 which isopposite the valve 2'! is.

formed of a flexible diaphragm 28, the outer face of which is subjectedto atmospheric pressure. Said diaphragm is connected to the valve by arigid rod 29. A calibrated spring 30 constantly urges said diaphragminwardly, andtends to hold the valve 21 open.

The return of the gases to the cistern is effected through the pipe 6connected to the tank in a liquid-tight manner. The cross-section ofsaid pipe is calculated so that for the maximum output of the pump 3,the pressure in the tank 2, necessary for ensuring the return of thegases to the cistern, has a very small value p, and that the pressurenecessary for ensuring, under the same conditions, the return of theliquid, has a value P which is substantially greater, although less thanthe maximum pressure the tank can normally stand. The adjustment ofthese pressures to a suitable value, can be obtained if necessary bymeans of a diaphragm 3I arranged in the tube and provided with acalibrated orifice.

The operation of the device is as follows: during the whole of thefilling operation, the pres-' the valve 21 constantly open. As soon asthe liquid reaches the tube 6, the pressure increases and rapidlyattains the value P. It acts on the whole surface of the diaphragm 28,compressing the spring 30, forcing the valve 21 on to its seat 5 to shutoil? the delivery of the pump 3. Any further action on the latter canonly look said-valve and it is not possible to introduce a greaterquantity of liquid into the tank.

By reversing the pump, a depression is set up in the pipe 5 which opensthe valve 21; the excess of liquidcan thus be sucked up again until thelevel of the liquid in the tank reaches the level N of the orifice ofthe tube 5 and the pipes 5 and 6 are emptied.

With this arrangement, it may happen that the pressure P builds uprather slowly, particularly if the pump is operated at reduced speed,and that consequently a certain amount of liquid can return to thecistern before the valve 21 has operated. This may be a serious drawbackin the case in which the volume distributed is to be measured by ameter.

The device shown in Fig. 7 avoids this drawback. In this arrangement,the return pipe 6 25 is provided with a member which prevents thepassage of the liquid and which is identical with the one used in thedevices of Figs. 1 and 3. Said member consists of a chamber 1 in which afloat H] can be displaced to close, with its needle valve the orifice ofthe, tube 6. When the liquid reaches said chamber, the float rises andcloses the outlet of. the gases. The pressure in the tank consequentlyrises and rapidly reaches the value P which causes the valve 21 to closeand the pumping to stop. The reversal of the pump 3 is efiected in thesame manner as in the previous examples; it has the effect of bringingthe level back to the desired point and emptying the pipes 5 and 6.

In Fig. 8 showing the application to the filling of the tank of anautomobile, the pump of the gasoline distributing station is not shown.4| designates the hydrocarbon cistern, most frequently lodgedunderground; 42 is a distributing measure having a head of liquid; 43 isthe pipe through which the pump sucks up the liquid to send it into thesaid measure; 44 is the pipe for conveying said liquid to the tank R ofthe vehicle V; 45 and 46 the hose and pipe for placing the atmosphere ofthe automobile tank in communication with that of the storage tank, andfor sending the excess of liquid into an overflow measure 41 and thenceback into the storage tank 4|.

At the free ends of the pipes 44 and 45 is mounted a single connection48 for temporarily connecting said pipes to the tank. In saidconnection, the said pipes respectively run into a liquid inlet chamber49 and an air supply chamher 50. Said two chambers open, on the otherhand, into a casing 5|, formed at the top of the body 48 and in which ismounted a plug 52. The latter is formed at the upper end of a centraltube 53 which normally communicates through said plug, with the liquidchamber 49.

The tube 53 which is long enough to enable it to extend downwardly aninch or two into the tank R, is surrounded by another tube 54, which islarger and shorter and which places the atmosphere of the tank incommunication with the cavity of the casing 5| and, consequently, withthe chamber 50 and the pipes 45 and 46 leading to the atmosphere of thestorage tank 4|.

The plug 52, which is provided with an oper- 74 ating handle 55, has awide lateral groove 56 enabling the chambers 49 and 50 to be placed indirect communication with each other at the end of the fillingoperation, as will be explained hereinafter.

To ensure the liquid-tight mounting of the connection on the tank R, thesaid connection has, between its main body and'the tube 54, a threadedportion 48a, on which screws a wing nut 51. Underneath the latter isarranged a washer 58 mounted on the upper end of a tubular joint 59 madeof resilient material such as special rubber, the lower end of whichbears on a collar 54a of the tube 54.

Since the lower part of the connection is engaged in the filling'orificeof the tank R, liquidtightness is obtained by screwing the nut 51towards the collar 54a, thereby causing the medial portion of the joint59 to bulge and to press closely against the inner wall of said fillingorifice.

In order to facilitate the bulging of the joint, resilient bladesabutting at 54a and 58 could be arranged inside that joint.

Referring again to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the pipe 45 runs into apart 60 which forms the cap of the cover of the measure 41, calledoverflow measure.

The measure 41, the body of which is made of glass, or is provided witha gauge tube, is of a capacity which is preferably slightly greater thanthat of the distributor measure 42. It contains a float 6| guided on arod 62 and provided with a valve 63 for closing the orifice 64communicating with the pipe 46 leading to the storage tank 4|. Saidorifice, provided in the cap 60, is slightly higher in the position ofFig. 8 than the orifice communicating with the pipe 45. l

The conduit starting from the orifice 64 in the cap 60 extends into ahollow shaft, the end 65 of which is rotatably mounted in a tube 66connected to the tube 46, so that by rotating the shaft and measure 41through 180 in a vertical plane, the measure 41 can be emptied into thestorage tank 4| through the tube 46. Said connection 66 is fixed in thebody 61 of the distributing apparatus.

For the same purpose, the bottom of the overflow measure 41 could beconnected to the pipe 45 by a conduit provided with a cook. The lattercould be manually operated or could be combined with the controls of thedistributing apparatus, so as to open when the measure is being filled,and close when the pump is started or when the measures 42 are beingemptied.

It will readily be seen that when the tank R is full, if the liquidcontinues to flow into same, it will rise in the tube 54 and run intothe overflow measure 41. As soon as the liquid is seen flowing into saidmeasure, the cock-52-55 is rotated to cause said liquid to pass directlyfrom the pipe 44 into the pipe 45 towards the measure. When all theliquid has run out, the connection 48 is removed and hooked onto theframe of the distributing apparatus in a high position, so that the pipe45 empties itself into the measure 41, the excess of liquid contained insaid measure is then calculated and it can forthwith be deducted fromthe quantity originally measured in 42.

It is thenonly necessary to empty the measure 41 by turning it upsidedown by swinging it through 180 in the vertical plane.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed and illustrated, and that all the modifications obtained byreplacing chamber and a double closure member carried certain parts bytheir equivalents, fall within its scope.

I claim: 1. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid 5 hydrocarbonfrom a closed supply reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe forconducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a second pipe forconnecting together the isolated atmospheres of the tank and thereservoir, so that the 10 gases driven out of the tank are sent back tothe reservoir, andmeans responsive to the flow of excess liquid towardssaid reservoir through said second pipe for stopping the filling of thetank.

2. Device. for filling a closed tank with liquid '15 hydrocarbon from aclosed supply reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe forconducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposedin said first pipe for sucking liquid from said reservoir and deliveringit towards said 20 tank; a second pipe for connecting together theisolated atmospheres of the reservoir and the tank so that the gasesdriven out of the tank are sent back to the reservoir; and meansresponsive to flow of liquid in said second pipe for stopping the 25filling of said tank when the excess of liquid flows back towards saidreservoir through said second pipe.

3. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from aclosed reservoir, said device 30 comprising a first pipe for conductingthe liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposed in'saidfirst pipe for sucking liquid from said cistern and delivering ittowards said tank, a second pipe connecting together the isolated atmos-35 pheres of the reservoir and the tank so that the gases driven out ofsaid tank are sent back to said reservoir, said second pipe openinginto'said tank at a predetermined filling level; a chamber interposed insaid second pipe, a float in said 40 chamberand a closure memberconnected to said float to control said second pipe so that thedischarge of the pump is closed off when the excess of liquid returningfrom said tank through the second pipe collects in said chamber.

5 4. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank orfrom a cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting theliquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said firstpipe and adapted to suck up liquid from 50 said cistern and deliver ittowards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolatedatmospheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out ofsaid tank are sent back to said cistern, said second pipe opening intosaid 55 tank at the level set for the filling,achamber interposed insaid second pipe, a by-pass connecting said chamber to said first pipe,a fioat in said chamber and a double closure member carried by saidfloat for closing said second pipe and open- 60 ing said by-pass whenthe excess of liquid collects in said chamber, and conversely during thefilling operation.

5. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank orcistern, said device com- 65 prising a first pipe for conducting theliquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said firstpipe and adapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver ittowards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolatedatmos- 7 pheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases drivenout of said tank are sent back to said cistern, said second pipe openinginto said tank at the level set for the filling, a chamber interposed insaid second pipe, a by-pass connecting 75 said chamber to said firstpipe, a float in said by said float to close said second pipe and opensaid by-pass, when the excess of liquid collects in said chamber, andconversely during the filling operation, and a valve in said by-pass,said valve being arranged to close towards the float chamber.

6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that a pump isinterposed in the second pipe between the tank and the float chamber,said pump, which has the same output capacity as the one arranged in thefirst pipe, being adapted to suck from the tank and deliver towards theclstem.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that on the secondpipe, between the tank and the float chamber, is interposed a pumpadapted to suck from the tank and deliver towards the cistern, with anoutput equal to that of the pump interposed in the first pipe.

8. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or froma cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquidfrom the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said firstpipe andadapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver it towards saidtank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres ofthe cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank aresent back to said cistern, said second pipe opening into said tank atthe level set for the filling, a chamber interposed in said secondpipe,.a by-pass connecting said chamber to said first pipe, a float insaid chamber and a double closure member carried by said float to closesaidsecond pipe and open said by-pass when the excess of liquidcollectsin said chamber, and conversely during the filling operation a valve insaid by-pass, said valve being adapted to close towards the floatchamber, a pump interposed in said second pipe between said tank andsaid float chamber, said pump being adapted to suck from said tank anddeliver towards said cistern with an output equal to that of the pumpinterposed in said first pipe, and reversing cocks combined with the twopumps to enable said pipes to be emptied, when the tank has been filled,without changing'the direction of operation of said pumps.

9. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or froma cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquidfrom the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe andadapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver it towards saidtank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres ofthe cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank aresent back to said cistern, a valve interposed in said first pipe betweensaid pump and the tank, said valve being adapted to close towards saidtank, a diaphragm connected to said valve and having one face incommunication with the tank and the other with the atmosphere, and acalibrated spring behind said diaphragm, adapted on the one hand to holdsaid valve open during the operation of filling, and on the other handto yield to the pressure acting on said diaphragm to allow said valve toclose as soon as the filling operation is completed.

10. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from aclosed reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting theliquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposed in said firstpipe for sucking liquid from said reservoir and delivering it towardssaid tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolatedatmospheres of the reservoir and the tank, so

that the gases driven out of said tank are sent to said reservoir, avalve interposed in said first pipe between said pump and the tank, saidvalve closing towards said tank, a diaphragm connected to said valve andhaving one face incommunication with the tank and the other with theatmosphere, and a calibrated spring behind said diaphragm, adapted onthe one hand to hold said valve open during the filling operation, and10 on the other hand to yield to the pressure oithe liquid acting onsaid diaphragm to allow said valve to close as soon as the fillingoperation is completed, a chamber interposed in said second pipe, afloat in said chamber and a valve connected to said float, said valvebeing adapted to close towards said cistern.

11. ,Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from acistern or reservoir, which comprises, a first pipe system to carry theliquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system to connect theatmosphere of the cistern and the tank, means to stop the filling oi.the tank when excess liquid flows towards said cistern through thesecond pipe line and means to withdraw from this second pipe line theliquid which has entered thereinto.

12. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from acistern or reservoir which comprises a first pipe system for passing theliquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system connecting theisolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank so as to pass the gasesdiplaced from the tank into the cistern, a gage interposed between thetank and the cistern con- 85 nected in the first pipe system, said gagebeing located at a higher level than the cistern so as to empty thereinby gravity, an overflow collector A comprises a first pipe system forpassing the liquid from the cistern atmospheres of the cistern and thetank so as to pass the gases displaced -irom the tank into the cistern,a gage interposed between the tank and the cistern connected in thefirst pipe system, said gage being located at a higher level than thecistern so as to empty therein by gravity, an overflow collectorinterposed between the tank'and the cistern in the second pipe system,and a valve for establishing direct communication between the two pipesystems so as to check the filling of the tank when the liquid begins tofiow into the collector of the second pipe system, said collector havingmeans to measure the excess liquid, and means to pass this liquid backto the cistern.

14. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from acistern or reservoir which comprises a first pipe system for passing theliquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system connecting theisolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank so as to pass the gasesdisplaced from the tank into the cistern, a gage interposed between thetank and the cistern connected in the first pipe system, said gage beinglocated at'a higher level than the cistern so as to empty therein bygravity, an overflow collector interposed between the tank and thecistern in the second pipe system, and a valve for establishing directcommunication between the two pipe systems so asto check the filling ofthe tank when the liquid begins to flow into the collector of the secondpipe system, said collector being graduated so as to measure the excessliquid passing thereto from the tank and containing a fioat valve toprevent direct passage of the excess liquid to the tank, a rotatablymounted tubular shaft to support the said collector, said shaft beinginterposed in series in the second pipe system and communicating withthe upper part of the interior of the collector so that when thecollector is rotated through 180 on its supporting shaft its contentflows through said shaft.

EMILE PIQUEREZ.

